The team reappeared in the dark. Private pulled out a flashlight.

“We’re in Hoboken” Skipper confirmed, looking upon the desolate zoo’s gate sign.
They slid into the zoo, keeping a look out for their lost mistresses. It didn’t take too long. They went to the Dolphin exhibit first and, finding nothing, moved on to the Puffin exhibit. They found Brook and Marlene rather quickly. They were in the center of the room, suspended inside a metal cage. The penguins looked up.

“Well, well. So this is the infamous Brook Lynn Feizi.” Skipper said.

“Yes. Now can you help us out?”

“Yes!” Private started forward, when he was held back by Skipper.

“No, Private!” He pointed to a tripwire.

“Oh. I missed that.”

“Yeah, I’ll say.” Kowalski interjected. He stepped over the trip wire underneath the girl’s cages. He jumped a few times, making sure nothing would pop up. He looked to the ceiling. Affirming it to be safe, he motioned the others over.

Rico regurgitated a ladder, propping it against the cage. The cage moved just a smidgen, and the walls exploded. All four sides exploded out at them from the walls, and an additional two for the top and bottom from the same wall. The ceiling burst forth a cable, and attached itself to the cage. The cage was hoisted into the air beside the girls, swinging precariously.

“Well, that’s just great.” Skipper said sarcastically

A chair they hadn’t noticed in the dark of the room, suddenly turned to face them. “Hello, Skipper.” Hans smiled. He held a glass of apple juice in his hand. “So glad you could come by.” He took a dainty gulp of his glass, and let it drop from his flippers, smashing into the floor.

“Well, I felt it would be nice to give you a nice visit.”

“Ah, the smart comments. No Epic is complete without them.” he laughed. “Look, Skipper, I know you want to defeat me, but I’m afraid this time you’ve lost!” Skipper grit his beak, flippers trying to bend the bars of the cage.

Rico, looking at the lock on the cage, quickly regurgitated a paper clip and formed a key. He started to slowly place the key in the lock. What he was not expecting was to get 200 volts of electricity shocked through his flipper. He flew back, his Mohawk singed. Rico’s flippers twitched, and was still. The others looked in horror at the body before them.

They sighed in relief when he kept breathing.

“Oh, did I forget to mention that?” Hans smirked “The locks have a special key to get into them. Without the key, you get 200 volts of electric pump action!” And with that, Hans walked out of the room, laughing manically. Minutes later, dozens of lobsters swarmed the room.

“This has got to be the most boring job ever.” One lobster said to the other. The penguins tried to listen for any information they might have. (After all, Lobsters’ aren't that bright)

“I know, right. The new Boss says we have to make sure they don’t escape.”

“I don’t like the new boss too much. He’s too - bossy.”

“I think Doc was better, personally. But what are you gonna do?” the question was obviously rhetoric. They stopped talking and started pacing around the room. All the lobsters looked bored, almost.

Skipper decided it was time for another one of his sappy speeches. “Now, Men, you all know I’m not one for sappy speeches.” he began

“CoughBullCough” Private pretended to cough into his flipper. Skipper pretended not to hear him.

“This may be the end of the line for us. I never thought I’d say this, but there’s no way out of here. Hans has won.”

“Um, Skipper...” the young Private tried to get his attention. Behind Skipper, a large *schlloooop, schlooop* could be heard. Skipper went about his speech unheedingly.

“Not now, Private. As I was saying, Hans may seem like he have won. But the chances of us getting out of here are just too great to -” He was cut off by a shaking of the cage. He looked back at the ground in behind him, beneath the cage. There were multiple holes in the floor. Joey Wheeler, Marcus, Matt and Luke popped out of one of the holes. Joey looked at Private.

“Couldn’t let you have all the fun, mate!” He yelled cheerfully. The team jumped into action, performing a ladder of their bodies and setting them free. Luke, at the top, had the Key in his flipper.

“How’d you get that?” Marlene asked

“That’s something I’d rather not go into right now” Luke shuddered. “Okay... well, thanks.” Marlene jumped out, followed by the rest of them. They looked at the holes in the ground. “Where do these tunnels lead?” Skipper asked.

“Anywhere you want. Marcus here is a master of digging.” Joey proudfuly proclaimed.

“Can we get to Smith’s Base undiscovered?”

“Can we? Of course we can! This is an easy mission, boys! Get in, get information, get out, stay undetected.” Joey commanded.

“I don’t like how he’s taking charge.” Skipper grumbled. He pushed it off to the side, following the others into the darkness below.

I APOLOGIZE IN NOT GETTING THIS UP ON THIS SITE SOONER, IT COMPLETELY SLIPPED MY MIND. I'M ALMOST DONE WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER, SO I'LL POST IT HERE FIRST.